Image forming apparatus that performs notification when stored log information reaches a threshold value, and information processing system

ABSTRACT

The image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that transmits log information, including: a log information generation unit configured to generate the log information in accordance with a job; a storage control unit configured to cause a log information storage unit to store the generated log information; a log information deletion unit configured to delete log information stored in the log information storage unit so that the number of pieces of log information stored in the log information storage unit does not exceed a storage upper limit; and a log loss information addition unit configured to add log loss information to log information to be stored in the log information storage unit in a case where the log information is deleted by the log information deletion unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a serverapparatus, and an information processing system.

Description of the Related Art

In recent years, in a multi function printer (MFP) including a networkfunction, use information on a user and log information, such as ahistory, are made use of in various services other than an analysis oftrouble and a charging system. For example, proposing a new service inaccordance with a utilization method of a user by transmitting loginformation and analyzing the log information, and giving a specialfavor to a user whose use frequency is high are performed. As describedabove, making use of log information for a service prompts a use of themain functions, such as print and scan, of the MFP, and therefore, thedevelopment thereof is desired also in the future.

However, such an MFP, particularly, an MFP for household use is notnecessarily connected to a network at all times and by continuing to usein the off-line state, log information accumulates in the MFP andfurther, is deleted, and as a result, it is concerned that the servicecannot be received.

In order to resolve such concern, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-OpenNo. 2011-39720 has disclosed a log monitoring program and further,Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-52390 has disclosed a log recordingcontrol method for audit. In the log monitoring program disclosed inJapanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-39720, in the case where it is notpossible to transmit log information to a server because ofdisconnection of communication, the log information is stored in apredetermined location. Then, in the case where the size of the loginformation exceeds a predetermined threshold value, control isperformed so that the storage size of the log information does notexceed an upper limit by prohibiting an operation of a user for whom loginformation is to be acquired. Further, in the log recording controlmethod for audit disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-52390,in the case where the remaining capacity of the storage area to storelog information becomes smaller than a predetermined threshold value,control is performed so that a storage upper limit of log information isnot exceeded by moving the operation into a reduced operation in whichpart or all of the functions are limited.

However, with both the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-OpenNo. 2011-39720 and the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-OpenNo. 2008-52390 described above, because priority is given to storing loginformation, in the case where the number of pieces of log informationapproaches the storage upper limit, the use of the main functions, suchas print and scan, is limited, and therefore, a reduction in usabilityresults.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the conventional problemdescribed above and an object is to prevent a reduction in usabilityeven in the case where the number of pieces of log informationapproaches a storage upper limit.

In order to fulfill the above-described object, the image formingapparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus thattransmits log information, including: a log information generation unitconfigured to generate the log information in accordance with a job; astorage control unit configured to cause a log information storage unitto store the generated log information; a log information deletion unitconfigured to delete log information stored in the log informationstorage unit so that a number of pieces of log information stored in thelog information storage unit does not exceed a storage upper limit; anda log loss information addition unit configured to add log lossinformation to log information to be stored in the log informationstorage unit in a case where the log information is deleted by the loginformation deletion unit.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an information processingsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image formingapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an informationprocessing apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a sever apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship of FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B;

FIG. 5A is a sequence diagram showing a procedure of processing of anMFP and a log collection server;

FIG. 5B is a sequence diagram showing a procedure of processing of anMFP and a log collection server;

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are diagrams showing log accumulation warningscreens displayed in the case where the number of pieces of loginformation is approaching a storage upper limit;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a log accumulation warning screen in thecase where the number of pieces of log information reaches the storageupper limit;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing log information not including log lossinformation;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing log information including log lossinformation; and

FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are diagrams showing log information including logloss information.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In the following, preferred embodiments of the present invention areexplained in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Thefollowing embodiments are not intended to limit the present inventionand all combinations of features explained in the embodiments are notnecessarily indispensable to the solution of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an informationprocessing system according to the present embodiment. The informationprocessing system includes an MFP (Multi Function Printer) 100, a PC200, and a log collection server 300 connected via a communicationnetwork 400, for example, such as the Internet.

In the case where the MFP 100 is connected to the communication network400 for the first time, communication is performed between the MFP 100and the PC 200 and between the MFP 100 and the log collection server 300and registration identification information on the MFP 100 is registeredin the log collection server 300. Further, at this time, based onagreement of a user, a registration procedure of a service the usersubscribes as well as a mail address, a telephone number, and so on ofthe user is performed. As described above, by registering theregistration identification information on the MFP 100 in the logcollection server 300, the MFP 100 and the log collection server 300enter the associated state and the state where both can communicate witheach other is brought about.

After this, in the case where a print job is performed, an ink tank isexchanged, and so on in the MFP 100, the MFP 100 generates and storeslog information. Then, the MFP 100 transmits the stored log informationto the log collection server 300 via the communication network 400.

In the present embodiment, the MFP 100 functions as an image formingapparatus, the PC 200 functions as an information processing apparatus,and the log collection server 300 functions as a server apparatus.Further, for the communication between the MFP 100 and the logcollection server 300 and the communication between the MFP 100 and thePC 200, it is assumed that a communication protocol, such as HTTP andXMPP, is used as an example in the following. In addition, for thecontrol protocol, it is assumed that a publicly known method is used.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image formingapparatus (MFP 100) according to the embodiment of the presentinvention. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 is a system control unitof the MFP 100 and controls the entire MFP 100. The CPU 101 performspredetermined calculation, determination, and control processing (forexample, storage control processing and the like) in accordance withprograms stored in a ROM 102 and the like.

Specifically, the CPU 101 functions as a log information generation unitconfigured to generate an event of the MFP 100 as log information.Further, the CPU 101 functions as a log information deletion unitconfigured to delete log information stored in a RAM 103 so that thenumber of pieces of log information stored in the RAM 103 becomes lessthan a storage upper limit in the case of determining that the number ofpieces of log information stored in the RAM 103 is larger than or equalto the storage upper limit. Furthermore, the CPU 101 functions as a logloss information addition unit configured to add log loss informationindicating that log information has been lost (deleted) to the loginformation to be stored in the RAM 103 in the case where the loginformation stored in the RAM 103 is deleted.

The ROM (Read Only Memory) 102 stores fixed data, such as controlprograms executed by the CPU 101, a data table, and a built-in operatingsystem (OS) program. Each control program stored in the ROM 102 includesone that performs software execution control, such as scheduling, taskswitch, and interrupt processing, under management of the built-in OSstored in the ROM 102.

The RAM (Random Access Memory) 103 includes an SRAM (Static RandomAccess Memory) and the like requiring a backup power source. In the RAM103, data is stored by a primary battery for data backup, not shownschematically, and therefore, it is possible to store a program controlvariable and the like without volatilization. Further, althoughexplanation will be given later by using FIG. 9 and the like, in the RAM103, a memory area is also provided for storing log information in thecase where it is not possible to send the log information to the logcollection server 300, such as the case where there is no connectionwith the Internet. That is, the RAM 103 functions as a log informationstorage unit. In addition, a memory area for storing a plurality ofpieces of information made use of by the registered service is alsoprovided.

An image memory 104 includes a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) andthe like and accumulates image data. Further, a part of an area issecured as a work area for execution of software processing. A dataconversion unit 105 performs an analysis of a page description language(PDL) and the like, and conversion of image data, such as CG (ComputerGraphics) development of character data.

A reading control unit 106 causes a reading unit 107 to optically read adocument by an image sensor, such as a CIS, under control of the CPU101. Then, the reading control unit 106 converts the electric image datathat is read into an image signal and outputs highly accurate image databy performing various kinds of image processing, such as binarizationprocessing and halftone processing, via an image processing controlunit, not shown schematically.

The reading of a document by the reading control unit 106 and thereading unit 107 may be performed by one of two control methods below. Afirst method is a sheet reading control method in which a document isread by a fixed CIS image sensor while conveying the document. Further,a second method is a book reading control method in which a documentfixed on a document table is scanned by a moving CIS image sensor.

An operation display unit 108 includes required minimum keys, such as anumerical value input key, a mode setting key, a determination key, anda cancel key, an LED (Light Emitting Diode), an LCD (Liquid CrystalDisplay), and so on, and is used at the time of activating variousfunctions as an MFP. As to the LCD, the CPU 101 turns off the backlightof the LCD for reducing power consumption in the case where a print jobor a scan job is not being performed and a general user does not performany operation for a predetermined period of time.

Although described later by using FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, and FIG. 7, in thepresent embodiment, a log accumulation warning screen is displayed (thatis, to warn and notify that logs are accumulated) on the operationdisplay unit 108 based on a plurality of pieces of information stored inthe RAM 103 and made use of in the registered service.

A communication control unit 109 connects to a communication network andperforms connection to the Internet provider and communication of data,such as log information, with the log collection server 300. Further,the communication control unit 109 is capable of determining whether theMFP 100 is connected to the Internet or connected only to a LAN. For theconnection to a communication network, it is assumed that a publiclyknown method, such as HTTP and XMPP, is used and here, explanationthereof is omitted.

A resolution conversion processing unit 110 performs resolutionconversion control, such as mutual conversion of millimeter-system imagedata and inch-system image data. In the resolution conversion processingunit 110, it is also possible to perform enlargement/reductionprocessing of image data.

An encoding/decoding processing unit 111 mutually performsencoding/decoding processing, enlargement/reduction processing, and soon for image data (non-compression, MH, MR, MMR, JBIG, JPEC, and so on)handled in the MFP 100. A printing control unit 112 converts image datato be printed into highly accurate image data by performing variouskinds of processing, such as smoothing processing, print densitycorrection processing, and color correction, for the image data via animage processing control unit, not shown schematically, and outputs theimage data to a printing unit 113. Further, the printing control unit112 periodically acquires state information data of the printing unit113 by controlling a USB host control unit 115.

The printing unit 113 is a printing unit including a laser beam printer,an ink jet printer, and so on, and prints color image data or monochromeimage data generated by the printing control unit 112 on a print member.

A USB function control unit 114 performs communication control of a USBinterface and performs protocol control in accordance with the USBcommunication standard. Specifically, the USB function control unit 114converts data from a USB function control task performed by the CPU 101into a packet and transmits a USB packet to the PC 200. Further, the USBfunction control unit 114 converts a USB packet received from the PC 200into data and transmits the data to the CPU 101.

The USB host control unit 115 is a control unit configured to performcommunication by a protocol determined by the USB communicationstandard. The USB communication standard is a standard that enableshigh-speed bidirectional data communication and it is possible toconnect a plurality of hubs or functions (slaves) to one host (master).The USB host control unit 115 has the function of the host in USBcommunication. Of the above-described blocks (components), the blocksindicated by symbols 101 to 106 and 108 to 115 are connected to oneanother via a CPU bus 121.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the informationprocessing apparatus (PC 200) according to the embodiment of the presentinvention. A CPU 201 controls the operation of the entire PC 200 via asystem bus in accordance with programs read from a ROM 202, a RAM 203,an internal storage device 204, or from an external storage device by anexternal storage device control unit 205.

The ROM 202 stores control programs and the like of the CPU 201. The RAM203 is mounted to temporarily store programs and image data and to causethe processing of the PC 200 to be performed at a high speed. Further,the RAM 203 is also used to store log information copied from the MFP100 in the present embodiment.

The internal storage device 204 stores an operating system, variousapplication programs, image data, and so on. Normally, these applicationprograms are installed by the data thereof being read from an externalstorage device (computer readable medium/external storage disc (such asCD/DVD media)) and being controlled in the external storage devicecontrol unit 205.

An operation unit 206 controls a keyboard and a mouse (not shownschematically) as a unit configured to input instructions from a user. Adisplay unit 207 displays various displays for a user. A communicationunit 208 connects to a communication network and performs connection tothe Internet provider and data communication with a log collectionserver 300. A USB host control unit 209 is a control unit configured toperform communication by a protocol determined by the USB communicationstandard and is used for connection with the MFP 100 and copying of loginformation or the like is performed.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the serverapparatus (log collection server 300) according to the embodiment of thepresent invention. A CPU 301 controls the operation of the entire logcollection server 300 via a system bus in accordance with programs readfrom a ROM 302, a RAM 303, an internal storage device 304, or from anexternal storage device by an external storage device control unit 305.As will be described later by using FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, the CPU 301functions, for example, as a log information analysis unit configured toanalyze log information received from the MFP 100.

The ROM 302 stores control programs and the like of the CPU 301. The RAM303 is mounted to temporarily store programs and data and to cause theprocessing of the log collection server 300 to be performed at a highspeed.

The internal storage device 304 stores an operating system, variousapplication programs, image data, and so on. Normally, these applicationprograms are installed by the data thereof being read from an externalstorage device (computer readable medium/external storage disc (such asCD/DVD media)) and being controlled in the external storage devicecontrol unit 305. Further, the RAM 303 or the internal storage device304 functions as an identification information storage unit configuredto store registration identification information on the MFP 100, and thelike.

An operation unit 306 controls a keyboard and a mouse (not shownschematically) as a unit configured to input instructions from anoperator. A display unit 307 displays various displays for an operator.A communication unit 308 connects to a communication network andperforms connection to the Internet provider and data communication withthe MFP 100 and the PC 200. The communication unit 308 functions as alog information reception unit configured to receive log informationtransmitted from the MFP 100. Further, for the connection to acommunication network, it is assumed that a publicly known method, suchas HTTP and XMPP, is used and here, explanation thereof is omitted.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are sequence diagram showing a procedure ofprocessing of the MFP 100 and the log collection server 300. The MFP 100receives each event, such as a print job issued by a user operating anexternal terminal or the MFP 100 and giving instructions as to printingand copying and an ink tank exchange job issued by an ink tank beingexchanged, as log information (S501). Here, this event also includes anevent, such as an idle event issued in the state where no processing isbeing performed (idle state) in the MFP 100.

The MFP 100 determines whether or not the received log information islog information to be stored in the case of receiving provision of aregistered service (S502). At this time, whether or not the received loginformation is log information to be stored is different according tothe subscribed (registered) service. Consequently, for example, there isa service that takes log information relating to a print job event andan ink exchange event as a storage target but does not take an idleevent as a storage target, or a service whose targets to be stored aredifferent for different print contents despite the same print job event.

In the case where the log information is determined to be a storagetarget at step S502, whether the number of pieces of log informationstored in the storage unit exceeds the storage upper limit (that is,whether the number becomes larger than the storage upper limit) bystoring the log information in the storage unit of the MFP 100 isdetermined. For example, in the case where the storage upper limit is200, whether or not the number exceeds 200 due to the log information ofthis time is determined (S503). In the case where the log information isdetermined to be a target not to be stored at step S502, the MFP 100advances the processing to step S512.

In the case where it is determined that the number of pieces of loginformation stored in the storage unit does not exceed the storage upperlimit (that is, in the case where it is determined that the number isless than or equal to the storage upper limit) at step S503, whether ornot the number of pieces of log information reaches the storage upperlimit of log is determined (S504). That is, whether or not the number ofpieces of log information becomes equal to the storage upper limit oflog is determined.

Then, in the case where it is determined that the number of pieces oflog information reaches the storage upper limit of log (S504 Yes), a logreaching warning screen (that is, a screen for warning that the numberof logs reaches the storage upper limit) is displayed on the displayoperation unit of the MFP 100 (S505). After displaying the log reachingwarning screen (S505), the MFP 100 stores the log information receivedat step S501 in the storage unit of the MFP 100 (S511).

Further, in the case where it is determined that the number of pieces oflog information does not reach the storage upper limit of log at stepS504, whether or not the number of pieces of log information isapproaching the storage upper limit of log is determined (S506). As thedetermination of whether the storage upper limit number is beingapproached, specifically, a number (threshold value) smaller than thestorage upper limit by a predetermined number is determined in advanceand whether or not the number of pieces of log information reaches thethreshold value (that is, whether or not the number becomes larger thanor equal to the threshold value) is determined.

Then, in the case where it is determined that the number of pieces oflog information is approaching the storage upper limit of log (S506Yes), a log accumulation warning screen (that is, a screen for notifyingthat a large number of pieces of log information have accumulated) isdisplayed on the display operation unit of the MFP 100 (S507). Afterdisplaying the log accumulation warning screen, the MFP 100 prompts auser to connect the MFP 100 to the Internet (that is, prompts a user tobring about an environment in which log information can be transmittedto the log collection server 300). Further, the log accumulation warningscreen notifies a user that log information cannot be transmitted to thelog collection server 300 and the number of pieces of log information isapproaching the storage upper limit, and that the service making use oflog information cannot be received any more.

After displaying the log accumulation warning screen (S507), the MFP 100stores the log information received at step S501 in the storage unit ofthe MFP 100 (S511). In the case where it is determined that the numberof pieces of log information is not approaching the storage upper limitof log (S506 No), the MFP 100 advances the processing to step S511 andstores the log information received at step S501 in the storage unit ofthe MFP 100 (S511).

Further, in the case where it is determined that the number of pieces oflog information stored in the storage unit exceeds the storage upperlimit (that is, in the case where the number becomes larger than thestorage upper limit) at step S503, the MFP 100 deletes the oldest loginformation of the stored log information (S508). At the time ofdeleting the oldest log information, stopping the function of the MFP100 (that is, limiting the function of the MFP 100) or the like is notperformed. Further, in the present embodiment, the specifications aresuch that the oldest log information of the stored log information isdeleted, but it may also be possible to delete log information accordingto the data size and the like of the log information. Specifically, itmay also be possible to delete log information whose data size is large.

After deleting the oldest log information (S508), the MFP 100 adds logloss information to the log information (S509) and displays a log losswarning screen for notifying a user that the log information has beenlost on the display operation unit of the MFP 100 (S510). The log losswarning screen here is different from the log reaching warning screendisplayed at step S505 and the log accumulation warning screen displayedat step S507. Here, for example, “The log information has been deletedbecause the number of logs exceeds 200. Because of this, the serviceprovision will be impeded. Check the network situation of the MFP” orthe like is displayed. After displaying the log loss warning screen, theMFP 100 stores the log information to which the log loss information isadded in the storage unit of the MFP 100 (S511).

After storing the log information (S511), the MFP 100 determines whetheror not to transmit the log information to the log collection server 300(S512). The determination of whether or not to transmit the loginformation to the log collection server 300 is performed based on thecontents of the event received at step S501 and in addition thereto, thesituation and the like of the network of the MFP 100.

In the case of determining to transmit the log information at step S512,the MFP 100 transmits the registration identification information inassociation with the accumulated log information to the log collectionserver 300 by using the communication control unit of the MFP 100(S513). In the case where the number of accumulated logs is large, thereis a case where the logs are divided into a plurality of groups and theneach group is transmitted.

Upon receipt of the registration identification information and the loginformation from the MFP 100 (S514), the log collection server 300checks the registration situation of the MFP 100 from the registrationidentification information and analyzes the log information (S515). Thelog collection server 300 further determines whether or not log lossinformation is included in the log information (S516). In the case wherethe results of the determination indicate that log loss information isincluded, the log collection server 300 also analyzes the number ofpieces of log loss information and the date and time of the lost loginformation, and further, finds information relating to a user,including the user's contact address and the like, from the registrationidentification information.

Then, in the case where log loss information is included, the logcollection server 300 notifies the user that part of the log informationhas been lost and the service making use of the log information isaffected by using a mail, a telephone, and so on (S517). Further, atthis time, the log collection server 300 prompts the user to check thenetwork situation and the like of the MFP 100.

In addition, the log collection server 300 estimates the cause of theloss of the log from the date and time of the lost log information, forexample, by performing collation with information relating to theenvironment on the service provision side, such as server down, or theenvironment on the user side. Then, based on the cause and the type ofthe service, the log collection server 300 estimates the contents andamount of the service that the user cannot receive from the lost loginformation and additionally provides the estimated service to the user,and thereby, compensates for the service. In the case where it isdetermined that log loss information is not included in the loginformation at step S516, the processing shown at step S517 is notperformed and the processing shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B is terminated.

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are diagrams showing the log accumulation warningscreens displayed in the case where the number of pieces of loginformation is approaching the storage upper limit. This logaccumulation warning screen is the warning screen displayed at step S507in the case where it is determined that the number of pieces of loginformation is approaching the storage upper limit at S506 in FIG. 5A.This screen is displayed for notifying a user that the storage upperlimit is being approached in the case where the number of accumulatedpieces of log information reaches a predetermined threshold value.

As described above, in order to warn a user stepwise, it is possible toset a plurality of threshold values for the storage upper limit of loginformation, and in the case where the number of accumulated pieces oflog information reaches each threshold value, a log accumulation warningscreen assigned to each threshold value is displayed. FIG. 6A shows thecase where the threshold value is set to 100 and FIG. 6B shows the casewhere the threshold value is set to 180, respectively.

It is possible for a user to close (cancel) the log accumulation warningscreen by pressing down an OK button on the log accumulation warningscreens shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B. However, there is a user whointentionally uses the MFP 100 offline, having an awareness that loginformation accumulates. For such a user, it is possible to issue a jobto the MFP 100 from an external terminal and the like even though thiswarning screen is not canceled. Further, it is possible to cause the MFP100 to perform processing in accordance with an issued job withoutlimiting the function thereof. The MFP 100 continues to display thewarning screen after performing the job unless a user cancels the logaccumulation warning screen.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the log reaching warning screen displayed inthe case where the number of pieces of log information reaches thestorage upper limit. This log reach warning screen is the warning screendisplayed at step S505 in the case where it is determined that thenumber of pieces of log information reaches the storage upper limit atS504 in FIG. 5A. This warning screen is displayed for notifying a userthat log information will be lost after this and it is no longerpossible to receive the service corresponding to the lost information inthe case where the number of accumulated pieces of log informationreaches the storage upper limit (that is, the number becomes equal tothe storage upper limit). That is, log information that causes thenumber of pieces of log information to exceed the storage upper limit isnot stored.

For the log reaching warning screen shown in FIG. 7 also, like the logaccumulation warning screens shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, it ispossible for a user to cancel the log reaching warning screen bypressing down an OK button. However, there is a user who intentionallyuses the MFP 100 offline, having an awareness that log informationaccumulates. For such a user, it is possible to issue a job to the MFP100 from an external terminal and the like even though this warningscreen is not canceled and further, it is possible to cause the MFP 100to perform processing in accordance with an issued job without limitingthe function thereof. The MFP 100 continues to display the warningscreen after performing the job unless a user cancels the log reachingwarning screen.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing log information not including log lossinformation. In the case where an event that is a target of storageoccurs, the MFP 100 generates information by associating the date andtime of occurrence thereof and the event contents with the registrationidentification information issued from the log collection server 300 atthe time of registration as log information.

In the case where it is not possible to communicate with the logcollection server 300, and the like, the MFP 100 stores the loginformation in the RAM 103 until the storage upper limit is reached. Inthe case where the number of pieces of log information is less than orequal to the storage upper limit, overwriting of the log informationdoes not occur, and therefore, the MFP 100 stores the log informationwithout adding log loss information. Due to this, in the case where thelog collection server 300 receives this log information, it is possiblefor the log collection server 300 to determine that the log informationis not lost because log loss information is not added to the loginformation.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing log information including log lossinformation. In the case where a storage-target event occurs, the MFP100 generates information by associating the date and time of occurrencethereof and the event contents with the registration identificationinformation issued from the log collection server 300 at the time ofregistration as log information.

In the case where it is not possible to communicate with the logcollection server 300, and the like, the MFP 100 stores the loginformation in the RAM 103 until the storage upper limit is reached.FIG. 9 shows the case where overwriting of log information has occurredbecause the number of pieces of log information having occurred in thestate where communication with the log collection server 300 cannot beperformed exceeds the storage upper limit. In FIG. 9, informationindicating that the log information is lost is added to new loginformation as log loss information along with the date and time ofoccurrence of the lost log information. Due to this, in the case wherethe log collection server 300 receives this log information, it ispossible for the log collection server 300 to grasp that the loginformation has been lost and the date and time of occurrence of thelost log by the log loss information.

FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are diagrams showing log information including logloss information. The log information shown in FIG. 10A and FIG. 10Balso includes partial information and state information (lost log statusinformation) relating to the lost log information, in addition to thelog loss information. Due to this, it is possible for the log collectionserver 300 to determine the service contents to be compensated for fromthe partial information and the lost log status information even in thecase where the log information has been lost. For example, in the casewhere priority is given to the number of printed sheets over the kind ofsheet as to a certain service, by storing this as partial information bygiving priority to the number of printed sheets over the kind of sheet,it is possible to further improve the accuracy in the case ofcompensating for the service. That is, it is possible to acquire ahigher point in FIG. 10A than in FIG. 10B.

Further, by storing lost log status information, it is possible for thelog collection server 300 to analyze the reason for the loss, and todetermine whether the cause is on the user side or on the serviceprovision side and further to determine whether or not to compensate forthe service and the contents of the service. Consequently, for example,in the case where log information is lost because the MFP 100 is notconnected with an access point, measures are taken so that the cause isresolved. In addition, in the case where log information is lost by theserver maintenance, the service equivalent to the service to be receivedincluding the partial information is compensated for as much aspossible.

As described above, even in the case where the number of pieces of loginformation approaches the storage upper limit in the state where loginformation cannot be transmitted to the log collection server 300, itis possible to notify a user that the service making use of the loginformation is not received.

Further, even in the case where the number of pieces of log informationexceeds the storage upper limit, it is possible to notify a user thatthe service making use of the log information is not received.Furthermore, in this case, by adding the fact that the log informationhas been lost to the log information as log loss information andtransmitting the log information to the log collection server 300, it ispossible to notify a user by using a method other than the notificationby the display unit of the MFP 100. In addition, it is possible for thelog collection server 300 to analyze the cause of not being capable oftransmitting the log information and to compensate for the service notprovided.

In the above-described embodiment, the example is shown in which a useris notified by using the display unit of the MFP 100 in the case ofwarning accumulation of log information, but it is also possible to givea remote notification using warning printing in the MFP 100 or thedisplay unit of an external terminal.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, explanation is given bytaking a telephone or a mail as a method of notifying a user that loginformation is lost from the log collection server 300, but the methodis not necessarily limited to those and another method of notificationmay be used. Consequently, for example, it is possible for the logcollection server 300 to transmit the fact that log information is lostto the MFP 100 as information and for the MFP 100 itself having receivedthis to notify a user by using the display unit thereof. In addition, itis possible for an application installed in an external terminal toacquire information from the log collection server 300 and to displaythe information on the display unit of the external terminal.Alternatively, it may also be possible to notify a user by a serviceperson directly visiting the installation place.

(Other Embodiments)

Embodiment(s) of the present invention can also be realized by acomputer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computerexecutable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on astorage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/orthat includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or moreof the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by thecomputer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out andexecuting the computer executable instructions from the storage mediumto perform the functions of one or more of the above-describedembodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). Thecomputer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processingunit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network ofseparate computers or separate processors to read out and execute thecomputer executable instructions. The computer executable instructionsmay be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or thestorage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or moreof a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM),a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as acompact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™),a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

According to the present invention, even in the case where the number ofpieces of log information approaches a storage upper limit, it ispossible to prevent a reduction in usability.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2017-129167, filed Jun. 30, 2017, which is hereby incorporated byreference wherein in its entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image forming apparatus that transmits loginformation, the image forming apparatus comprising: at least oneprocessor configured to cause the image forming apparatus to act as: anaccepting unit configured to accept a job; a log information generationunit configured to generate the log information in accordance with thejob; a storage control unit configured to cause a log informationstorage unit to store the generated log information; a log informationdeletion unit configured to delete log information stored in the loginformation storage unit so that log information stored in the loginformation storage unit does not exceed a first threshold value; a logloss information addition unit configured to add log loss information ina case where the log information is deleted by the log informationdeletion unit; a transmission unit configured to transmit the stored loginformation; and a notification control unit configured to control anotification relating to log information, wherein the transmission unittransmits the added log loss information with the stored loginformation, in a case where the log loss information is added, whereinthe notification control unit performs the notification relating to thelog information in a case where the log information stored in the loginformation storage unit reaches a second threshold value that is lessthan the first threshold value, and wherein the accepting unit is ableto accept a job even in a state where the log information stored in thelog information storage unit has reached the second threshold value andthe notification is performed.
 2. The image forming apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the log information generation unit generates thelog information even in the state where the log information stored inthe log information storage unit has reached the second threshold value.3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thenotification control unit further performs a notification in a casewhere the log information stored in the log information storage unitreaches a third threshold value that is larger than the second thresholdvalue and is less than the first threshold value.
 4. The image formingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein in a case where the loginformation generation unit generates first log information and anamount of log information stored in the log information storage unitwould exceed the first threshold value if the first log information isstored, the log information deleting unit deletes second log informationstored in the log information storage unit and the log loss informationaddition unit adds the log loss information.
 5. The image formingapparatus according to claim 4, wherein the notification control unitfurther performs a notification that a piece of the log information hasbeen lost in a case where the log information has been lost.
 6. Aninformation processing system comprising: an image forming apparatusthat transmits log information, the image forming apparatus comprising:at least one processor configured to cause the image forming apparatusto act as: an accepting unit configured to accept a job; a loginformation generation unit configured to generate the log informationin accordance with the job; a storage control unit configured to cause alog information storage unit to store the generated log information; alog information deletion unit configured to delete log informationstored in the log information storage unit so that log informationstored in the log information storage unit does not exceed a firstthreshold value; a log loss information addition unit configured to addlog loss information in a case where the log information is deleted bythe log information deletion unit; a transmission unit configured totransmit the stored log information; and a notification control unitconfigured to control a notification relating to log information,wherein the transmission unit transmits the added log loss informationwith the stored log information, in a case where the log lossinformation is added, wherein the notification control unit performs thenotification relating to the log information in a case where the loginformation stored in the log information storage unit reaches a secondthreshold value that is less than the first threshold value, and whereinthe accepting unit is able to accept a job even in a state where the loginformation stored in the log information storage unit has reached thesecond threshold value and the notification is performed; and a serverapparatus comprising: at least one processor configured to cause theserver apparatus to act as: a log information reception unit configuredto receive the log information transmitted by an image formingapparatus; and a notification unit configured to perform a notificationindicating that the log information is lost, in a case where the logloss information is received by the log information reception unit. 7.The information processing system according to claim 6, wherein the loginformation generation unit generates the log information even in thestate where the log information stored in the log information storageunit has reached the second threshold value.
 8. The informationprocessing system according to claim 6, wherein the notification controlunit further performs a notification in a case where the log informationstored in the log information storage unit reaches a third thresholdvalue that is larger than the second threshold value and is less thanthe first threshold value.
 9. The information processing systemaccording to claim 6, wherein in a case where the log informationgeneration unit generates first log information and log informationstored in the log information storage unit would exceed the firstthreshold value if the first log information is stored, the loginformation deleting unit deletes second log information stored in thelog information storage unit and the log loss information addition unitadds the log loss information.
 10. The information processing systemaccording to claim 9, wherein the notification control unit furtherperforms a notification that a piece of the log information has beenlost in a case where the log information has been lost.
 11. Theinformation processing system according to claim 6, wherein the serverapparatus compensates for, in a case where the log loss information isreceived, a service that was not provided due to a loss of the loginformation by analyzing a cause of not being capable of transmittingthe log information and a type of service by the log informationanalysis unit.
 12. The information processing system according to claim6, wherein the server apparatus comprises an identification informationstorage unit configured to store identification information on the imageforming apparatus in association with information on a user, and thenotification unit notifies a terminal of a user associated with theidentification information that the log information is lost.